Title: Rural water supply and sanitation in Malawi: Groundwater context
Abstract: This chapter reviews current situation of rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) in Malawi from groundwater context in terms of sources, coverage and functionality. The chapter presents trends in RWSS sector and suggests possible way forward. A holistic assessment determines variations that exist between groundwater and surface sources in terms of functionality rates. This chapter also evaluates progress about water monitoring activities and sanitation services. Since the target for the Malawi Government to a achieve the Millennium Development Goals as a UN Member state by 2015 is to reduce by half the proportion of population without access to sustainable safe drinking water and reduce by half the proportion of people without access to improved sanitation, there is need to assess both initiatives that are working and those that are weak in RWSS sector. The review focused on groundwater points and surface water stand pipes. Records on water resources and RWSS were reviewed and few interviews with key officers in water sector ware conducted. The 2007 water point mapping survey revealed that, out of 48,055 documented water points, 73% were groundwater points. Out of 27 districts, 23 districts (85%) depended more on groundwater as main source of water supply than surface water. This shows that groundwater serves majority of people in rural areas of Malawi, hence requires intensive scientific assessment of the resource. In terms of functionality, 72% of groundwater points were operational compared to 49% of surface water points. This indicates that groundwater is more reliable source than surface water. For both sources, the 2007 survey estimated that access to safe rural water supplies was 75%. The non-functional rate of 31% of rural water points is considered unacceptable by the Malawi Government if investment in the drilling more boreholes is to raise further coverage. This chapter suggests that department of water development should enforce a sustainable operation and maintenance system about broken-down boreholes. The review found that groundwater monitoring assessment is largely conducted by drilling contractors. Surface water monitoring activities are conducted on an ad hoc basis. This chapter recommends addressing the observed situation about water monitoring. The review revealed the existence of weak operation and maintenance aspects of rural water supplies due to lack of coordination, comprehensive framework, monitoring and evaluation among others. The review found that sanitation services for rural areas remain unacceptable and unsatisfactorily low (6%). This chapter recommends addressing the observed negative trends proactively.
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-10-16
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 4
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